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Describe the general situation at the present with the addicted person.
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Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a pattern of repeated drug use that usually results in tolerance which is the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect. Drug addiction can also lead to withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops) and compulsive drug use behavior (drug use that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work). Drug addiction encompasses a diverse range of drugs (such as alcohol, marijuana, meth, heroin, cocaine, and prescription drugs) and is caused by many different factors.
Each person uses drugs for a different reason initially, but in the end what was once just recreational or occasional use becomes a daily occurrence. As time passes, their ability to distinguish between the desire to use and the need to use becomes blurry. They become dependent on the drugs to make them feel “normal”.
Drug addiction is a problem that affects people from all walks of life. Anyone can succumb to drug addiction. It does not make a difference how financially secure one is or if they had a wonderful family life. Developing a drug addiction is strictly about the individual. No one sets out to become a drug addict. It is the choices they make along the way that lead them in the downward spiral of drug addiction.
Addiction can be a lifelong battle for some people. Many find they struggle with drug cravings and relapse even after long periods of sobriety. Treatment for drug addiction is often able to help prevent future relapses. While in rehab, recovering addicts learn ways to handle their cravings and redirect their energy into staying clean and sober.
A key point of drug addiction is not being able to control ones drug. There is a certain pressure, an almost irresistible need to use the drug. To determine if somebody is addicted, most people reference the conditions of addiction as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The following are conditions for determining drug addiction. Even meeting only a few of the criteria can imply that someone has a drug addiction problem:
- Continuing to abuse drugs even though you know they are hurting you.
- Experiencing problems at work or school due to your drug use.
- Failed attempts to control your drug use or your behavior while using.
- Feeling the need to find and use drugs.
- Developing a tolerance to the drugs and feeling the need to use more to feel the effects.
- You use drugs more frequently and in higher doses than you planned.
- Suffering withdrawal symptoms if you limit or discontinue your drug use.
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